Appropriates $20,000,000 from General Fund to the Department of State for travel and tourism advertising and promotion to communicate that New Jersey's tourism destinations are operational despite damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

This bill makes a supplemental appropriation of $20 million from the General Fund to the Department of State to fund the advertising and promotion of New Jersey's travel and tourism industry. Travel and tourism is one of the largest employment sectors and highest revenue-generating industries in the State. A vibrant travel and tourism industry is vital to the overall economic well-being of New Jersey's citizens. As a result of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy, there is the perception that New Jersey's beaches and other travel and tourism destinations have been destroyed. Much like the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the BP oil spill disaster in 2010, a significant increase in resources must be allocated to advertise and promote New Jersey's travel and tourism industry to effectively communicate that the State's tourism destinations are open and operational.